Shake Shack Names Stephanie Sentell as Chief Operations Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Shake Shack has appointed Stephanie Sentell as Chief Operations Officer, effective July 1, 2024. Sentell, with 23 years in the restaurant industry, has held executive roles at Inspire Brands and Arby’s, managing operations of over 1,100 restaurants and leading 22,000 team members. She brings a proven track record in operational efficiencies and profitability improvements. Sentell will oversee all domestic operations, reporting to CEO Rob Lynch. This strategic move aims to leverage Sentell's expertise for Shake Shack's considerable growth opportunities.

Positive

• Stephanie Sentell's appointment as COO brings 23 years of industry experience.
• Sentell managed operations for over 1,100 Arby's restaurants, leading 22,000 team members.
• Proven track record of improving margins and enhancing operational efficiencies.
• Shake Shack aims to leverage Sentell’s expertise for growth opportunities.

Negative

• No direct mention of immediate financial improvements or revenue forecasts tied to the new COO appointment.
• Potential risks associated with leadership changes during critical growth phases.

Sentell Brings Proven Leadership, Operational Innovation and Strong P&L Experience to the Company

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Shake Shack Inc. (“Shake Shack” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SHAK) today announced that it has appointed Stephanie Sentell to the role of Chief Operations Officer, effective July 1, 2024. Stephanie is a seasoned restaurant executive and most recently served as Senior Vice President of Company Operations at Inspire Brands, where she oversaw the operations of more than 1,100 company-owned Arby’s restaurants and led 22,000 restaurant team members across the United States.

“I have known Stephanie for more than 10 years and she is one of the most dynamic and compassionate leaders that I have ever worked with,” said Rob Lynch, CEO of Shake Shack. “She brings a wealth of operational experience and has consistently improved margins and enhanced operational efficiencies across brands, channels, and formats, including drive-thru, with a data driven approach that will further improve and optimize the way we operate our Shacks. Stephanie has the passion and strong leadership skills to build upon the principles of Enlightened Hospitality – she knows how to develop great teams, how to solve complex problems, and has an accountability mindset that will guide our teams into a bright future. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome her aboard.”

As a skilled executive with 23 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Stephanie has an impressive track record of driving profitability, managing high-performance teams, and spearheading operational innovations. Stephanie has spent over 11 years at Inspire Brands and Arby’s, most recently as SVP of Company Operations, managing a $1.5 billion business. Earlier in her career, Stephanie spent over 11 years at Dairy Queen as the Director of Marketing and a franchise owner.

“Shake Shack is an incredible company that places its team members, guest experience, and hospitality at the forefront of all decisions. I’m thrilled to join Shake Shack at a time when the brand is positioned for considerable growth opportunities across multiple verticals,” said Stephanie Sentell. “I look forward to partnering with an amazing team of leaders who have already built a successful foundation and collaborating on key opportunities to win."

As Shake Shack’s new Chief Operations Officer, Stephanie will oversee all company-operated domestic Shacks, including over 12,000 team members. She will report to Rob Lynch, Shake Shack’s CEO and work closely with the current senior executive leadership team.

About Shake Shack
Shake Shack serves elevated versions of American classics using only the best ingredients. It’s known for its delicious made-to-order Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, hand-spun milkshakes, house-made lemonades, beer, wine, and more. With its high-quality food at a great value, warm hospitality, and a commitment to crafting uplifting experiences, Shake Shack quickly became a cult-brand with widespread appeal. Shake Shack’s purpose is to Stand For Something Good^®, from its premium ingredients and employee development, to its inspiring designs and deep community investment. Since the original Shack opened in 2004 in NYC’s Madison Square Park, the Company has expanded to over 530 locations system-wide, including over 340 in 33 U.S. States and the District of Columbia, and 190 international locations across London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Mexico City, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, Seoul and more.

Skip the line with the Shack App, a mobile ordering app that lets you save time by ordering ahead! Guests can select their location, pick their food, choose a pickup time and their meal will be cooked-to-order and timed to arrival. Available on iOS and Android.

Learn more: shakeshack.com | IG: @shakeshack | X: @shakeshack | facebook.com/shakeshack

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240617340452/en/

Media:

Meg Davis, Shake Shack

mcastranova@shakeshack.com

Investor Relations:

Melissa Calandruccio, ICR

Michelle Michalski, ICR

(844) SHACK-04 (844-742-2504)

investor@shakeshack.com

Source: Shake Shack Inc.

FAQ

When will Stephanie Sentell start her role as COO at Shake Shack?

Stephanie Sentell will start her role as COO at Shake Shack on July 1, 2024.

What experience does Stephanie Sentell bring to Shake Shack?

Stephanie Sentell brings 23 years of restaurant industry experience, including senior roles at Inspire Brands and managing over 1,100 Arby's restaurants.

What are the key responsibilities of Stephanie Sentell at Shake Shack?

As COO, Stephanie Sentell will oversee all company-operated domestic Shacks, including over 12,000 team members, and report to CEO Rob Lynch.

What operational improvements is Stephanie Sentell known for?

Stephanie Sentell is known for improving margins, enhancing operational efficiencies, and leading high-performance teams with a data-driven approach.

What growth opportunities does Shake Shack see with Stephanie Sentell's appointment?

Shake Shack aims to leverage Stephanie Sentell's operational expertise to capitalize on considerable growth opportunities across multiple verticals.